Georgia Power customer goes on random bill paying spree

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. -- More than a dozen Georgia Power customers were shocked, some moved to tears, when a military veteran went on a spontaneous bill paying spree.

"He had such a glow on his face," said Customer Service Representative Athena Brewer.

The Georgia Power office in Stockbridge was filled with people when the vet, who told employees he was homeless just a year ago, entered to pay his electric bill.

The man overheard Customer Service Representative Glendis Harris talking to a woman who was short on cash. He opened his wallet.

"Then he turned around and was like, anybody want their bill paid?" said Harris. "He said Merry Christmas to everybody, and he started paying bills,"

The man paid the bills of about fifteen people, but he wasn't finished.

He left the office only to return a short time later with more cash.

Athena Brewer watched as he helped a woman so far behind on her bills, her power had been cut off.

"She was crying," said Brewer. "I said okay, you're going to make me cry. She said no one had ever helped her like that."

A day later, even customers who missed out on the generosity were glowing...

The man upstairs works in mysterious ways," said customer Gladstone Gordon. "It's good. Those who were supposed to get it, got it. I wasn't here to get it, but it makes me happy."

Georgia Power says the random act of kindness is in perfect keeping with their Project Share campaign. This time of year, an increasing number of customers agree to add $1 to $10 to their bill that goes to support the Salvation Army.

"Georgia Power then matches each customer contribution dollar for dollar, and forwards the money to the Salvation Army to assist families with food, shelter, and clothing," said Georgia Power's Brian Green.

The mystery man told employees here he didn't plan his bill paying spree, that he was moved by the customers struggling to make ends meet.